The ambitious project to rebuild and restore Pompeii is starting to pay off. This is because some 30 buildings have been restored bringing to life an ancient city that has held great mysteries over the centuries. Pompeii is an ancient Roman city that has been the recipient of numerous disasters over time. In A.D 79, this progressive city was buried by rock and volcanic ash after the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. With this disaster, it is estimated that almost all its inhabitants at that time were killed. This old Roman settlement has become one of the most exciting archaeological sites in the world. Experts in the field have made this exquisite city a case study since the 18th Century.
After excavations started in the 19th Century, this mysterious city on Naples Bay would still suffer a series of disasters. Up to 4 major earthquakes hit this site followed by other harmful human activities. To be more specific, allied bombings of 1943 destroyed most of the buildings on the site. With so many negatives, it was as if this ghostly Roman city did not want to be disturbed. It took a radical approach dubbed the Great Pompeii Project to start restoration work on this site. This European-funded project brought on board over 100 experts with cutting-edge archaeological technologies and equipment for the work.
So far, 30 buildings have been restored and reopened to the public. The number of visitors to this location is set to hit a record as many people flock to the World Heritage UNESCO site in Naples. Visitors can expect to see how life was like before the great eruption that destroyed most of it. It is an eye-opening experience that employs sound and light displays to bring out the true ambiance of a relic city. This project was not just funded by the European Union because the Italian government was at the heart of it. More than 100 million euros were raised to fund this extraordinary project.
Among the 30 restored Pompeii buildings are major attractions like the Villa of the Mysteries and the House of the Vettii. These two buildings were closed for 12 years and through this project, the public can now have access. This archaeological haven is definitely opening an exciting new chapter. Hopefully, this work will go into unraveling some of the ancient mysteries to allow visitors understand and enjoy the rich Roman history. This could also signal the end of calamities for a new more prosperous Pompeii.
